Dive Brief:
- The New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission approved on Wednesday one solar and one solar-plus-storage project to serve El Paso Electric's customers.
- The projects were proposed to serve southern New Mexico and west Texas customers, and start service in the summer of 2022. One project will add 100 MW of solar for $0.015 per kWh while the second will add 100 MW of solar and 50 MW of storage for $0.021 per kWh, record-low prices for solar and storage in New Mexico.
- The PPAs mark the first time El Paso Electric uses large-scale battery storage in the state, replacing 91 MW of capacity from two units at the Rio Grande natural gas steam turbine plant, set for retirement in 2022.
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source: utilitydive.com — May 18, 2020 by Iulia Gheorghiu
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Back in 2019, New Mexico state legislature joined Hawaii and California in approving a 2045 carbon-free goal for power suppliers. This Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) includes an intermediate 2020 goal requiring 20% of utilities’ retail energy sales to be both renewable and economical.
2 of the 3 solar Purchased Power Agreement projects El Paso Electric submitted for pricing approval to the NM Public Regulation Commission in November were accepted. (Chart of suppliers and figures at the top link).
Attorney Stephanie Dzur, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, noted, “The low prices are noteworthy, particularly $14.99 per megawatt-hour for the Hecate project..."
The Solar Energy Industries Association reported that New Mexico has about 905 MW of solar installed, with prices falling 38% over the last five years.